Sangamon Sun

Village of Pawnee Board of Trustees met Oct. 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

Call to Order:

President Clarke called the meeting to order to 7:00 pm.

Roll Call:

Village Clerk, Devona Martin called roll

Trustees in attendance: Todd Richeson, Phillip Thompson, Cara Burnley, David Skinner, Troy Squires 

Trustees Absent: Patrick Murphy 

Also in attendance: Treasurer Kelly Thein, Chief Barclay Harris, Tony Moore with Republic Services, Jeff Jarrett, Gary Eby

Visitor's Recognition/Comments:

Tony Moore with Republic Services appeared before the Board. He would like to see if there is any interest in having only one trash provider in our area. He was just working with a municipality where is saved the residents approximately $7/mo and the village over $8,000 per year. This included a free clean up that they were paying out of pocket. President Clarke heard from some residents that they don't want government telling them what to do. He advised billing can be done by them or through the water bills. It would be more cost effective for the Village to bill. Treasurer Thein asked what happens if someone is short on their water bill and we are shutting off water? Does that shut off trash service also? Mr. Moore advised that currently, they monthly bill for a municipality of about 500 homes and they are paying $14/mo. He suggested we ask for pricing and put it out to the residents. Right now, there are 3 different companies picking up trash. Republic also does recycling at different prices depending on the number of pickups. President Clarke asked if they would like a free dumpster. He will check into it. No decision made at this time. 

Discussed our health insurance. Stan Travelstead was unable to attend due to an illness in his family. He did supply a comparison sheet. For automatic renewal with our current plan with no changes, there will be a 9.96% increase. Treasurer Thein advised she just received the Dental, Vision and Life increases. The only change was a 3.5% increase in dental. 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the renewal of our current insurance as presented Second made by Trustee Thompson Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (5-0) 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to renew with Principal Insurance for dental, vision and life Second made by Trustee Richeson Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (5-0)

Clerk's Report:

Minutes of October 14, 2019 were presented for review and approval 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the minutes of October 14, 2019 as presented Second made by Trustee Thompson 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes

Motion Carried: (5-0)

Personnel & Finance Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Skinner

Trustee Skinner presented the bills payable for the week ending October 28, 2019 in the amount of $86,418.63 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve the bills payable in the amount of $86,418.63 for the week ending October 28, 2019 

Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (5-0) 

Treasurer Thein presented her Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the Month Ending September 30, 2019 

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to approve Treasurer Thein's Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the Month Ending September 30, 2019 

Second made by Trustee Squires 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (5-0)

Treasurer Thein advised the Tax Levy is out for review. We will need to vote on it the first meeting in December.

Gas and Water Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Squires

Trustee Squires advised the Washington Street hook ups have started. Water samples came back great. 

Trustee Squires advised they are working on gas leaks. They are replacing a 200' section on 9th street to Washington Street south tomorrow. 

Trustee Squires advised 2 weeks ago, on Pawnee Road, our high pressure line was hit by a combine. It was installed 8ft deep in 2007 but now it's only about 3ft deep due to erosion. Short term fix is to bury it to keep it protected. He advised we will probably have to dig it up again in the spring at a cost of probably $250,000. Currently, there is a section from the gas house to Dickey Road that is exposed. 

Trustee Squires advised there will be roughly 4 gas leaks left that are minor leaks that they will be working on. They are having a hard time getting welders here due to the small size of the repairs. They have 12 months to fix them so they will probably wait until the spring. There is also an adhesion problem due to the current temperatures.

Streets, Alley and Sidewalk Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Murphy

Trustee Squires advised he talked to Jeff Schober but he didn't have much to say.

President Clarke advised the speed bumps are installed and are a big hit with the neighbors.

Police Committee Report: Committee Chair, President Clarke

No report

Sewers and Parks: Committee Chair, Trustee Thompson

Gary Eby advised the Board the EPA plant inspection for operator of the year is tomorrow. 

Gary Eby also advised the Board all of the pumps are finally back up and running. They closed out the park and took down the swings so they won't be damaged over the summer.

Zoning Committee Report: Committee Chair, Trustee Burnley

No report

Bargaining Committee: Committee Chair, President Clarke

• n/a

Energy: Committee Chair, Trustee Burnley

• n/a

Infrastructure: Committee Chair, Trustee Richeson

Trustee Richeson advised he was able to get pricing on lighting from Ameren. The Village Hall is $3,432.30, food pantry is $1,094.44, and the edge of town is $808.27 for a total of $5,335.44 which is what Ameren would be paying. The Village part is $3,480. To replace all lighting with 2'x2' lights with LED. Savings of $1600 annually just for the village hall. 

Motion made by Trustee Richeson to retrofit the Village lighting to be paid out of infrastructure 

Second made by Trustee Burnley 

Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes 

Motion Carried: (5-0)

Unfinished Business:

none

New Business:

Prairie Days has requested to use the square June 11, 12 and 13 for Prairie Days. They would like to close the square at 1pm on June 10. Consensus was to allow with the exception of closing the square at 2pm on June 10th. That would allow the lunch crowd to exit the square. 

The next Village Board meeting has been changed to Tuesday, November 12, 2019 due to Veterans Day.

Motion to Adjourn:

Motion made by Trustee Skinner to adjourn. Second made by Trustee Squires Roll Call Vote Taken: Richeson-yes, Thompson-yes, Burnley-yes, Skinner-yes, Squires-yes Motion Carried: (5-0)

Meeting adjourned at 7:45pm on Monday, October 28, 2019. 

http://www.pawneeil.net/uploads/2/4/2/7/24273585/board_minutes_october_28_2019.pdf